I am struggling this morning. I don't expect any sympathy, but I feel I should tell you. As a Christian I know I should be feeling sorry for our Australian brethren who must be devastated at having lost again to the 'Poms' in a World Cup Rugby match. How can they take the shame of losing to a team who were widely proclaimed as the 'worst World Cup winners ever'? Not only did they concede the cup to us 4 years ago, but now they have been knocked out by a weaker version of the same team.

However... as an English Rugby fan... who cares? The fact is that we won! And the fact that it is against a team which has constantly derided, underestimated (and occasionally thrashed) us makes it all the better. I watched the match with 40 other Christian blokes and I can't say our joy was diminished much by sympathy for the Aussies.

How does this tie together? I don't actually see much conflict. To be a Christian does not mean that you stop being human, in fact you become more human when you start relating to the one who made you as you were always designed to. Competition is part of being human. Of course it can, and does, get out of hand. Of course we should care about our fellows, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't compete and enjoy it. There is particular joy in coming from behind and winning against the odds.

Perhaps this idea of competing, of struggling against the odds, of standing strong when the tide is against you is something that is missing in our increasingly PC church. Maybe we would be better disciples if we took something of the spirit of the Rugby field back into the church. Of course we shouldn't overdo it, but if there is a choice between a child turning to alcohol or Christ I know which I would rather fight for, even if I lose some battles more often than I win.

I don't want to crow about the Rugby too much; I know that we'll quite possibly be out next week, but I live in hope and I will be supporting England whatever the score... although, I must say, to knock both the Aussies and the French out would be sweet victory indeed!!